It's also a choice how to fly.
You know why CD always talks about getting upgraded to first class? Because not enough first class tickets are sold. A plane maybe has 15-20 first class seats, and it's rare that they're all sold for first class prices. Loyalty members and frequent fliers end up there as a "perk".
You know why airlines are at a race to the bottom for ticket costs, scrapping anything that makes customers comfortable? Because every fare is available on the internet, easily comparable, and consumers will buy the cheapest fare even if it means flying a no-frills airline. I'm convinced some consumers would sit out on the wing if they could save $10.
You know why nobody that's not rich (and despite your pleas, most on this site aren't "rich") does what you suggest and makes use of the option that you don't have to show up hours early--which exists and is called flying private? Because it's damned expensive, that's why. There are all sorts of options out there where you can book these flights, but very few people can afford it.
Simply put, if bigger seats i.e. "make the whole plane first class" was something mainstream consumers would pay for, there would be at least ONE airline doing it. But we're not willing to pay for it.
Flying sucks, because all we're willing to pay for is a great big Greyhound in the sky. Flying sucks because we, as consumers, chose low price over high quality.
That's what I mean when I say you don't understand economics or consumer behavior. We got where we are re: flying because it was driven by what consumers wanted--low price. "Make the whole plane first class" is something consumers SAY we want, but then we pick the flight based on price, and bitch about why the airline experience is so shitty.
Yes, people chose low price because that's all they can afford.
Don't to a bullshit +$10 for first class example, because this isn't about a few bucks for a better experience. I just looked up the same dates on a travel site for economy vs first class and you're spending 4x as much for a slightly larger seat.
If the airlines' margins are so shitty, then perhaps we shouldn't have widespread air travel. Flights can be similar to safe neighborhoods or green grass and manicured roadways - perks for the wealthy.
The more people say they're not rich here, the less I believe it. Maybe I should specify upper class, so that nobody's panties get in a pinch. To argue against it is odd and dishonest. Cruises, fights, trips, weeks in Europe, etc. aren't even feasible for most people. The argument against my claim SHOULD be "we're old farts at our wealthiest point of our lives" and obviously not "we're not rich."
Just be accurate, man.
Now, go poll potential flyers and ask them if they'd pay over 4x the cost of a ticket onto the plane to have a seat 3-4 inches wider.
No, that's not worth it for 99% of people. Duh.
For most, being packed in like sardines is their only option. The other potential option is simply not flying. That's the fancy-pants economic explanation. Do not pretend otherwise.